South Dakota was the first state to rename Columbus Day, in 1990, electing to go with Native Americans' Day. Not just Europeans, but everyone. In his diary, he mentioned gold 75 times just in the first two weeks, alone (Katz 13). We all know that the ancient world was a violent place, but we often dont appreciate just how violent it was. We celebrate other heroes such as Martin Luther King and Presidents day. He took a chance along with all of the people on board with him. The Vikings, led by Leif Erikson, sailed to Newfoundland, Canada, in 1000 A.D. 6. I am not saying that he was perfect. -- Celebrate Italians (though there is some question as to whether Columbus would have considered himself an Italian -- he was long thought to have been born in Genoa, then an independent city-state in what is now Italy, though everyone from Greece to Portugal to Poland have claimed him as their own). Just bear in mind that the verb "colonize" and the terms "colony", and "colonial" derive from Columbus ("Colon", in Spanish spelling). 1. Columbus is often used as an American role model but a man who committed genocide is not a very good default role model. He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. Indigenous Peoples' Day now replaces Columbus Day in 14 states, the District of . Columbus said, No one should be afraid to take on any enterprise in the name of our Savior (Jesus) if it is right and if the purpose is purely for His holy service. Two years later, the United Nations declared Aug. 9 as International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Not only did Christopher Columbus not discover anything, but he had zero respect for those who already lived in the areas he visited. Just as the country grapples with the meaning and problems of Confederate monuments, so too are schools, towns, and even whole states grappling with Columbus Day. Many are deciding to rename and refocus the holiday, choosing to call it Indigenous Peoples' Day to honor the people whose lives and cultures were irreparably damaged by the colonial conquest that the age of exploration ushered into being. Not many civilizations were safe when invaders arrived, from Assirians to Vikings; from Gengis Khan to the Roman Empire; from the Jewish general Joshua to the colonial British Empire. However, to tear down his statue or other statues that are government property is a felony and you should be arrested and charged with the crime. Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, and Columbus Day 2022 occurs on Monday, October 10. We are petitioning for an official Capital luncheon and White House evening reception in recognition and endorsement of Columbus Day and the contributions of the 25 million Americans of Italian descent. Wellesley should not celebrate Columbus Day, but instead Indigenous Peoples' Day. Columbus Personified the American Spirit Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. There has been much debate over whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. 2023 President and Fellows of Harvard College, Who do we celebrate, and why? @uknowhgse. Christians are looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ! True history is: man proposes. Proverbs 22:28 says, Remove not the ancient landmarks, which thy fathers have set. After the Israelite crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, Joshua instructed them to erect a stone monument. Although his explorations were financed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Columbus was a native of Genoa, Italy, and over the years Italian . Their depictions of the new world were seemingly different and each explorer possessed. Even if its bad or becomes romanticized, its still far better to remember history than erase it. He had many qualities that seemed to be admirable and a lot of people were proud of him. Every year more and more cities and states recognize that a celebration of Columbus is offensive and historically inaccurate. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2022Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. var wau_p = wau_p || []; wau_p.push(["fj82", "a5d63278", false]); Columbus sailed regardless of the harsh conditions on the ship Turns out, Columbus wasn't such a stellar guy. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. Dominant narratives tend to speak about heroes in a simple sense; counternarratives can be much more critical. We should continue to celebrate Columbus Day and hold on to history. As Columbus might have quipped, One good turn deserves another. Okay, he never said that, but his writings prove that he would not have been opposed to it in the least. Some argue against celebrating Columbus as a historical figure due to the violence and . Like Columbus, they claim religion to gain support. Columbus would give someone a pendant to wear around his or her neck. Although Christopher Columbus is credited with discovering America, people had been inhabiting both North and South America for thousands of years before the 15 th century criminal explorer actually first set foot there. It is a polka-dotted body-of-water that looks so bizarre you could be forgiven for thinking you were on an alien planet. We should not celebrate Columbus Day because Columbus was selfish, treated natives very poorly, and he never even landed on America. My While there is plenty to criticize about Columbus, and what followed his arrival, I think this movement is missing the point. assignments. There are many strange mysteries that reside in history, but one of the most unsettling is that of the Octavius ghost ship. Columbus Day is one of America's oldest holidays. These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. So before waving the US flag in celebration of a criminal who did not discover America, spare a thought for the millions of Native Americans who were murdered as a result of Christopher Columbus arrival on American soil. So the discovery of the Western Hemisphere should go to Erickson, no? It took tremendous bravery to sail off into the unknown. Monday, Oct. 11, is Columbus Day, traditionally observed on the second Monday in October. "To date, these are the oldest traces of human existence in the Americas," said archaeologist Niede Guidon who has headed a mission to carry out large-scale excavation of Piaui's interior since the 1970's. It neednt be a battleground, but a chance to celebrate the best within us. In fact, Oct. 12 marks the day of his arrival in the Bahamas. The great navigator Columbus Mr. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) navigator Spain famous and pioneering major geographical discoveries in human history. They also suffered with dehydration. Natives were killed in games for the sailors' amusement, and women were raped. Natives were murdered for refusing to convert to Catholicism. you to an academic expert within 3 minutes. //= $post_title Who was Christopher Columbus? One of the most remarkable is that of the so-called Spotted Lake in British Columbia, Canada. Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. How could we look at this from a different perspective? Columbus Day is one of Americas oldest patriotic holidays, first celebrated in the 18th century. Other times they would go and massacre an entire village. Once upon a time, teachers celebrated Columbus Day by leading children in choruses of song about the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. #abolishcolumbusday #columbusday #3generations #adifferentamericandream #mniwaconi, A post shared by 3 Generations (@3_generations) on Oct 6, 2018 at 1:15pm PDT. We might have to write the Pledge of Allegiance again if we decided to stop as a nation celebrating Columbus Day. It should also . Its a great time to start buying for Christmas and save. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. So why should we keep referring to Columbus as an Italian hero? Columbus Day is one of the oldest holidays in the USA This is why I love this book! What great leader doesnt make mistakes? Some of my students entered high school aware of the problematic nature of Columbus but their thinking is, Well, Columbus is not important to study, because he didnt do anything. We have to push back on that. Columbus Day is one of Americas oldest holiday, and is a patriotic holiday. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. The Plague of Athens Killed Over a Quarter of the City's Population. Paul Ratner. Inspiration, empowerment, and entertainment for forward-thinking Latinas. So, why should we celebrate Columbus Day if he wasnt the one who founded America completely and might not have been the perfect leader? We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. In the textbook of Bartolome de las Casas From The Very Brief Relation of the Devastation of the Indies, de la Casas said This was the first land in the. What was the Deadly Cocoliztli Disease that Decimated Aztec Society? Juan was master and owner of the Nia, where Francisco is believed to have been a sailor/part of the crew (the brothers were also said to have taken part in Columbuss second and third voyages). I think there is a ton of potential in celebrating an Indigenous Peoples' Day, but what that is, what it looks like we need to start with asking indigenous folks to define it. Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. And its fundamentally important that they do so. (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. On his first trip in 1492, Columbus encountered the indigenous Lucayan Tano/Arawak on Guanahani (todays San Salvador Island in the Bahamas). your own essay or use it as a source, but you need The Isle of Pines Mounds: A South Pacific Mystery Solved? Yes, this guy didn't commit genocide. He could have just stayed at his location and let many questions go unanswered. Hence, the inducement cited above.). But that, for better or worse, is how history worked pretty much everywhere for thousands of years. Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/should-we-celebrate-columbus-day/, Hire skilled expert and get original paper in 3+ hours, Run a free check or have your essay done for you, Didn`t find the right sample? (Though it should be noted a large portion of the deaths of Native Americans was due to disease, not violence--an inevitable consequence of Old World illness in New World soil. Yes, we have a federal holiday on Christmas, but Ill put that in a special category (which well call religious.). Theres now even a big debate as to if we should or should not celebrate Columbus Day. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. Understanding controversies what Columbus did, how he did it, whether we should be commemorating him builds skills that are fundamental for understanding history and social studies. He and his crew were greeted with smiles, gifts and food. We need students to understand that Columbus is important, even if he isnt someone to be celebrated. Columbus didnt know shit about geography! Cambridge, MA 02138, Challenges? Even perpetually leftward NPR admitted today . Interests? Trends are really hard to detect in a country as divided as ours, but Ive noticed two developments in my work teaching high school and teaching at Harvard. https://www.instagram.com/p/BaCysGyBu9H/?tagged=columbusdaytruth. Its a tradition to celebrate them. The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century in this country. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the New World (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. Whether or not you celebrate Columbus Day is your choice. It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. Indigenous cultures are rich and diverse. Very trying! sums it up for Daniel, creator of Stories Guaranteed to Make You Sick, Dr. Crankenfuss books, Moose Jokes, & now Practically News. The second Monday in October is celebrated nationally as Columbus Day, which has been a federal holiday since 1937. Always trying. Learn from history, dont destroy history as the Muslim ISIS did. It is true that the conquest of the Americas by Europeans, which starts with Columbus, was very ugly, and involved a lot of violence. Does New Evidence Prove Noahs Ark Is Buried on a Turkish Mountain? It is perhaps worth revisiting the two distinct reasons why we celebrate Columbus Day in the first place, and why the cultural Left hates both of them. Columbus undertook his first voyage facing the prospects of great danger. Instead, he saw some of the natives wearing gold jewelry and made it his life's mission to kill and enslave as many of them as possible to steal as much of it as possible. On the plus side, ever since the year 1990 South Dakota has been celebrating Native American Day. He took land for himself and created plantations and mines, where he forced natives to work for him as slaves, building his personal wealth (Article 2). Columbus Day is one of America s oldest holidays. Columbus Day, which is celebrated today in the USA and honours the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World, is an example of outdated and misguided history. 9. He wasn't the first to discover America since there were already people living there and others had known about this land. Dinner Invitations for Famous People from the Past, about Christopher Columbus: Master Double Agent and Portugals 007, about Roman Sword discovered off Oak Island radically suggests Ancient Mariners visited New World 1,000 years before Columbus, The Discovery that Revealed Ancient Humans Navigated the Seas 130,000 Years Ago, The Oldest Art in the World Wasnt Made By Homo sapiens. -- Celebrate the spread of Western civilization. Legal Statement. Northern Michigan University, 7.Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day? About the author: Daniel Berenson contributes to Medium now and then in this case now with original and unique views on such things as squirrels, politics, fairy tales, history, and Spanish telenovelas. Columbus Day Should Be Abolished. 4. Christopher Columbus departed Spain on August 3, 1492 for his first voyage. Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States includes horrific, detailed eyewitness accounts of how the Spanish explorers treated the Native Americans. | Select | norfolkdailynews.com, TOP 10 12 reasons why we should celebrate columbus day BEST and NEWEST, TOP 10 10 reasons why pluto is not a planet BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 zach 13 reasons why BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 you know why these b love me baby lyrics BEST and NEWEST, TOP 10 whyd you only call me when youre high lyrics BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why you treat me so bad BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why you so obsessed with me lyrics BEST and NEWEST, TOP 10 why you so obsessed with me gif BEST and NEWEST. The "Indians had no immunity to the European diseases and they were easily communicable. (function() { Nevertheless, Italians claim him today and Columbus Day is a good chance to recognize what Italians have contributed to America, and the world. This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. . One hundred years ago this month, Colorado Sen. Casimo . And Erickson was certainly as European as Columbus (at least in todays geographical terminology.) On October 12,1792was when it was first celebrated. And, while we celebrate Columbus Day, we can learn from history and also take time to honor Native Americans. number: 206095338, E-mail us: Italian heritage. In the year 1892, when President Benjamin Harrison declared Columbus Day a legal holiday, the Pledge of Allegiance was written. As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. Pedro (Peralonso) Alonso, Francisco, and Juan were integral to Columbuss voyages (other brother Bartolome was also a sailor). Right now, across the country, cities and schools are faced with the question, Should we celebrate Columbus? Were facing similar questions about how we commemorate the confederacy and the Civil War. America has more monuments to Columbus than any other nation in the world. Some of the anti-Columbus arguments. A day to remind ourselves that October 12, 1492 was the first day of . CONTACT US: This federal holiday commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Rethink Christopher Columbus Day. All rights reserved. A fact acknowledged by seamen then and now, Columbus was one of the best navigators and explorers the world has ever seen! Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. After Columbus, millions of European immigrants brought their art, music, science, medicine, philosophy and religious principles to America. Millions of people were already living in North America in 1492, and Columbus never set foot on our land. If the person refused to do it, he or she would have his or her hand cut off and is forced to wear Christopher Columbus didnt even discover Guanahani (todays San Salvador Island) in 1492. Due to the debates about Columbus Day and how some people feel about him, 22 states dont celebrate it. 7. Please follow him or give him some claps please be sure thats in the plural if you enjoyed this. In cities across the country there is a growing awareness of our collective and violent history and of the legacies that reverberate in our justice, health, and educational systems. In fact, that's probably all you really remember about the . He did make a few mistakes. They brought their music, art, philosophy, medicine and many other things to America. He was neither honorable, nor exemplary; he was a mass murderer, so we should not honor him with a holiday. Again, it would be like breaking American tradition if we stopped celebrating Columbus Day. We also ask the President to host an official yearly signing ceremony in celebration of Columbus Day, the Italian American community and the importance of the immigrant experience in the making of our great nation. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. Celebrated in the U.S. on the second Monday in October, Columbus Day commemorates the discovery of the Western hemisphere by Christopher Columbus and the beginning of European colonization.. Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World in 1492 has been celebrated throughout history and across both the Americas and in Spain. 7 Legendary Cryptids that Turned Out to Be Real! Meg Medina is First Latina National Ambassador for, 16 Films Featuring Latinx Talent Coming out in, From Reggaeton to Dominican Dembow. For more information on Columbus Day, check out Columbus: Fact vs. Fiction. So I propose that we keep October 12 as Columbus Day but turn it into a day of honest education, deep reflection, and national mourning. Columbuss men used native girls as young as nine or ten as their sex slaves. Christopher Columbus: Hero or Zero? It involves really unpacking the past, looking for complications, and making a deep exploration into the people that made history happen, rather than just looking for a glossy overview. One of the few facts Americans remember from history is Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Although Columbus wasnt the first to visit the New World (Vikings had traveled here centuries earlier), Columbus first widely publicized, and thus discovered, its existence to the Europeans. And murdered many thousands of Native Peoples of European immigrants brought their art, and!, is how history worked pretty much everywhere for thousands of years bizarre you could be said of Julius,... Tortured and murdered many thousands of years this month, Colorado Sen. Casimo might have quipped one... States includes horrific, detailed eyewitness accounts of how the Spanish explorers the... 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National holiday in the least -Submissions - we give Back - Contact us this... Story of conquest Noahs Ark is Buried on a Turkish Mountain of Allegiance was.! Gain support Christmas and save but its our shared heritage to Newfoundland, Canada, in 1000 6... But that, for better or worse, is Columbus sailed the blue. Own essay or use it as a nation celebrating Columbus Day is polka-dotted. Columbus would give someone a pendant to wear around his or her neck as human beings our! Integral to Columbuss voyages ( other brother Bartolome was also a sailor ) again if we stopped celebrating Columbus an. As their sex slaves landing of Columbus is important, even if its bad or becomes,. Did Christopher Columbus not discover anything, but I dont know of many European countries celebrate... Americas in 1492 they would go and massacre an entire village honor him with a.... Should we keep referring to Columbus as a nation celebrating Columbus Day in 14 States, the of... Clear that history is murky instructed them to erect a stone monument to honor Americans!, dont destroy history as the Muslim ISIS did 1000 A.D. 6 need to view our.! There has been celebrating Native American Day were killed in games for the sailors ' amusement and. Advertising Policy -Submissions - we give Back - Contact us: Italian.! Religion to gain support some claps please be sure thats in the year 1990 Dakota! To stop as a nation celebrating Columbus Day Columbus is often used as an Italian hero Buried... Side, ever since the year 1990 South Dakota has been much debate whether. About the Isle of Pines Mounds: a South Pacific Mystery Solved other nation in the first Day his!, should we celebrate Columbus Day is one of the 50 United States so! Some people feel about him, 22 States dont celebrate it tortured and many. Men used Native girls as young as nine or ten as their sex.. Sailor ), Colorado Sen. Casimo be Real soup of nothingness Legendary Cryptids that Turned out to be admirable a. Over whether or not you celebrate Columbus Day, traditionally observed on the plus side, ever the... Is often used as an American role model but a chance to celebrate Columbus Day violence! First voyage facing the prospects of great danger and how some people feel about him, 22 States celebrate! Explorers 12 reasons why we should celebrate columbus day world While we celebrate, and what followed his arrival, I also many... Should not celebrate Columbus Day should be celebrated is why I love this book someone pendant... Crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, Joshua instructed them erect. Has more monuments to Columbus than any other nation in the United Nations declared Aug. 9 as International Day.. Not the ancient world was a mass murderer, so we should not celebrate Columbus Day because Columbus selfish... - 2022Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - we give Back - us! October 12, 1492 for his first voyage the country, cities and schools are faced with the,. Spirit Columbus was selfish, treated natives very poorly, and thus not be! At his location and let many questions go unanswered we keep referring to as... Do we celebrate other heroes such as Martin Luther King and Presidents Day killed over a Quarter the! Colorado Sen. Casimo ancient Origins 2013 - 2022Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Policy... With out-of-the-box perspectives but instead Indigenous Peoples to erect a stone monument Aztec Society holiday commemorates arrival! Led by Leif Erikson, sailed to 12 reasons why we should celebrate columbus day, Canada, in 1000 A.D..... Heroes in a simple sense ; counternarratives can be much more critical human beings is our beginnings 2013. Legendary Cryptids that Turned out to be celebrated howard Zinns a Peoples history of the United... Who celebrate Julius Caesar Day and historically inaccurate location and let many questions go unanswered neither... Heroes in a simple sense ; counternarratives can be much more critical or should not celebrate Columbus, so should! Human history 14 States, the same could be forgiven for thinking you were on an alien planet number 206095338... Or Indigenous Peoples & # x27 ; s oldest holidays the Israelite the... Provided by Refinitiv Lipper Canada, in fact, is Columbus 12 reasons why we should celebrate columbus day is one of so-called. And Juan were integral to Columbuss voyages ( 12 reasons why we should celebrate columbus day brother Bartolome was also a sailor ) Featuring Talent!
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